Search This Blog

Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

HBO TV Series: A Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, adapted from the novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" from master novelist, George R.R. Martin, (GRRM) is a multi-awarded 2011-current TV series picked up by HBO, set to run its 7th Season this July 16. Check out the official Season Seven trailer here:

I've been hearing talks about top-rated GOT for a long time now and with all the talk on an abundance of sex and nudity in the series, I never really took interest in anything Game of Thrones, and refused to bother myself with even a glimpse into the basic plot for light insight into what makes the world of GOT so captivating.

Over the course of the past two months though, I was able to glimpse bits of some scenes and I learned of the complexity and variety Game of Throne presents its viewership. There was war and there was soap opera drama. There was mystery, there was romance. There were mythical creatures creatively presented, and there were direwolves that got me missing our Alaskan Malamute back home. And yes, from the episodes I've watched so far, there were lots of naked people and extended onscreen sexual encounters. Watching this type of media may pose some questions in some Christian communities. Is it wise, is it right? To deny that there is porn is absolutely ridiculous for there is a lot indeed. Heavy or light, you may want to debate it, but porn is porn. Dictionary.com defines pornography as:

"sexually explicit videos, photographs, writings, or the like, produced to elicit sexual arousal (often used attributively):

television shows, articles, photographs, etc., thought to cater to an excessive, irresistible desire for or interest in something:"

Christianity and pornography is actually a debated issue among Christian groups. There are those who do view that pornography in some form is okay and a number of christian couples look into porn together to spice up the marriage bed. All I can definitely say to anyone reading this is that, it cannot be denied that seeing onscreen sex and nudity does something to your brain and senses, and for the singles who take liberties in watching them; oftentimes, the natural recourse for an unmarried person in relieving oneself from arousal is either to self-release or masturbate, or to release it via actual sex with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Will any of these solutions present a sufficient and excellent way of satisfying the yearning that has been enticed from the viewing of sexually explicit material?

I decided to try out the books and I found Book 1 hard to put down. Even with work and sightseeing occupying my time I got to finish the first installment in less than a week. A sensible fan will definitely want to read through the books to get a much better handling on the characters and get a full-picture of it all. Although the TV series is doing a great job on its take of George R.R. Martin's work, so much crucial parts are left un-captured by the episodes. And of course, like in other book to film or book to TV adaptations, some liberties taken by production cause deviations from the storyline and flow of the original. Some of the differences between the TV series and the novels are found here.

Of course there is still nudity and sex to be found in the novels but I found that the scenes were shorter, often lesser, and a number of extended sex and nudity scenes in the TV series are actually not found in the book itself. Hmm. That's an interesting thought...

I'm currently in the beginnings of Book 2.

I am hooked, I am captured. George RR Martin's material is excellent. He has well-articulated the world of Game of Thrones. He constantly develops good, intelligent plots within the covers. I have yet to comment negatively. There is nothing unrealistic, over the top, inconsistent, nothing predictable. Expect something to develop in every chapter. There wouldn't be a dull or boring section in the pages. There would be no fillers. The author unfolds everything so well. The encompassing book has crossed onto multiple genres and any of its audience will find his favorite type of story covered in the pages of George R.R. Martin's books.

You'll find yourself loving a character, then find yourself amused at seeing that love turn to pity and hate. Then you'll find yourself loathing a character, then find yourself amused at seeing that loathing turn to pity, then love. Fans say that you'll find yourself so wanting one person dead, when you feel that nobody deserved to be any dead-er than him, yet find yourself building an even greater desire for another character to be SO dead. But then you'll find yourself feeling some sense of loss when that hated character is finally gone from view.

It seems there is not one particular main star or hero, and admirably, the author is able to present both the villain and protagonist in every character. I've currently taken a liking to no other than the Imp, Tyrion Lannister, portrayed by a most competent actor, Peter Dinkage . How adept an author is Mr. Martin, that he was able to pen a world where any avid follower will definitely take a liking and give patronage to the character of a dwarf.

Book 1, A Game of Thrones, has such a kickass ending and the beginnings of Book 2, A Clash of Kings, expectedly has drawn me further in. I'm glad that after a marathon of George Lucas' Starwars franchise, I have these books in line for quite many days to come.

After 16 days of being trapped inside the Tham Luang cave, four youths of the Wild Boars Thai soccer player team were rescued last night. The official press conference informed the public that the next rescue mission attempt will start within 10 to 20 hours as oxygen tanks need refilling. We know that not one of them have had the experience of diving, with some who don't even kow how to swim. With the rescue operation, two divers are tasked for each child. thai cave rescue Image provided by abc.net.au in this article here. Risks were laboriously evaluated and hard decisions had to be made. The option to wait out the monsoon rains proved more dangerous as it could take 4 months to let the heavy rains pass and all that time could further seal the Tham Luang cave and doom the Wild Boars Thai soccer player team and coach trapped insid…

Kang kong is a well-known leafy vegetable used in many Philippine dishes. It is quite easy to grow they say. There was a time when you can find kangkong patches on most streets in the neighborhood. It is also called water spinach or swamp cabbage. It thrives in wet, moist areas. Many grow it solely in water. It quickly grows under sunny spots but carers should keep the soil moist. Else, it may die.

Some tips:

Not much intstructions on planting. Just bury the seed and keep the soil moist or muddy. Kangkong grows all year round. Cut maybe an inch or two above the soil for continued regrowth and harvesting. Winter may see your plant dying but often, it regrows by spring.You may fertilize with nitrogen twice a month.You may harvest whole plants at about 1 to 2 months.Kangkong has the tendency to spread. Grow in a container for easy maintenance or harvest whole plants to control your supply.If you plan to collect seeds, let the plant flower and dry the seeds for planting.Prevent your kangk…